Intern in the Future Missions Department - NoovaMoon Project - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Review state-of-the-art time-transfer techniques, navigation signal monitoring strategies, and differential correction methods for lunar navigation missions
• Contribute to development of ESA software tools and simulation capabilities for assessing candidate models and processing approaches
• Participate in hands-on laboratory activities to design and set up a representative testbed aligned with the simulation environment
• Plan and conduct a test campaign to evaluate system performance under representative laboratory conditions
• Document the test approach and results, and present key findings and recommendations to the engineering team

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: University student, preferably in final or second-to-last year of Master's level course; must be able to prove enrollment at university for entire duration of internship
• Languages: English (good kn…), French (good kn…)
• Key skills: Knowledge and background in satellite radio-navigation systems, Knowledge and background in position estimation and/or sensor fusion, Knowledge and background in signal processing, GNSS receivers and software-defined radio, Good knowledge of and experience with Python

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: Not specified.

Working arrangements: ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Hiring unit: Future PNT Projects Division (RNC-FF), Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1452922433

Last Verified

6 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Intern in the Future Missions Department - NoovaMoon Project at ESA based in Noordwijk (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is 1452922433.

Job Requisition ID:20996

Date Posted:1 November 2026

Closing Date:30 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:External Only

Directorate:Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Our team and mission

As part of the Future PNT Projects Division (RNC-FF), we lead the coordination of all Position, Navigation, and Timing contributions in the context of future lunar, Martian and Solar System exploration.

This is currently implemented through various programmes: Lunar Pathfinder satellite (which includes a GNSS demonstration payload), Moonlight Programme (which involves the development of a GNSS-like lunar constellation, in addition to communication services), NovaMoon Mission (which aims to deploy a lunar station at the south pole of the Moon to monitor and augment GNSS-like lunar constellations, provide timing services and perform scientific experiments) and the planned future MARCONI Mars-dedicated communication and navigation system (currently under assessment).

To support ESA's internal capability to follow up on these activities, the Division has established an ESA-internal R&D team fully dedicated to lunar and Martian navigation system engineering and performance analysis. This includes the development of specialised advanced exploration simulation models and tools, carried out in close collaboration with the ESA Technical Directorate.

As part of this internship, you will join this internal R&D group contributing to the analysis of on-going program activities and the development of future advanced PNT concepts for planetary exploration with a focus on the NovaMoon mission.

Candidates interested are encouraged to visit the ESA website:http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity for the internship

This internship offers the opportunity to contribute to the NovaMoon mission, with a focus on three key areas of the payload: navigation signal monitoring, time transfer, and the generation of differential corrections.

As an intern, you will have the following tasks:

- reviewing state-of-the-art time-transfer techniques, navigation signal monitoring strategies, and differential correction methods for lunar navigation missions such as NovaMoon; - contributing to the development of ESA software tools and simulation capabilities used to assess candidate models and processing approaches, including software-defined radio receivers for signal processing and positioning, navigation, and timing engines; - taking part in hands-on laboratory activities to design and set up a representative testbed aligned with the simulation environment; - planning and conducting a test campaign to evaluate system performance under representative laboratory conditions; - documenting the test approach and results, and presenting the key findings and recommendations to the engineering team.

Behavioural competencies

Education

You must be a university student, preferably in your final or second-to-last year of university course at Master's level. In addition, you must be able to prove that you will be enrolled at your university for the entire duration of the internship.

Additional requirements

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another ESA Member State language is an asset.

During the interview, your motivation for applying to this role will be explored.

The following are considered assets:

- knowledge and background in satellite radio-navigation systems; - knowledge and background in position estimation and/or sensor fusion; - knowledge and background in signal processing, GNSS receivers and software-defined radio; - good knowledge of and experience with Python.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 5 November 2026, 2 days ago.

The application deadline is 30 November 2026, 21 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 6 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.